Dead dolphins washing up on Florida beaches

WILBUR-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. – Dead bottlenose dolphins are continuing to wash up along beaches along Florida's east coast.

Since Sunday, officials say the Georgia Aquarium's Conservation Field Station has picked up three dead dolphins along Flagler County beaches.

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Capt. Tammy Marris of Volusia Beach Safety and Ocean Rescue says a 3-foot dolphin was found in Wilbur-by-the-Sea on Monday. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that in November at least seven dolphins were recovered on Volusia County beaches and another four on beaches in nearby Flagler County.

Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say morbillivirus is likely causing the deaths. A team of researchers is investigating.

The average number of strandings between New York and Florida between July 1 and Dec. 1 is 113. This year 936 strandings have been reported.